Javea Activities Guide: Best Things to Do in Javea

A morning among historic streets, lunch near the sea and an afternoon on the beach make a varied introduction to Javea, also known as Xàbia.

Start with its three main areas: the Historic Old Town, the Port and the Arenal. Each offers a different experience, so allow time to explore them separately rather than treating Javea as one compact resort.

Build your plans around a few places you particularly want to see, then leave room for a market visit, a café stop or a walk beside the water.

The Historic Old Town is a rewarding starting point for discovering Javea beyond its beaches. Explore the streets around Sant Bertomeu Church, the Town Hall and Municipal Market, looking out for traditional stonework and small squares along the way.

Combine your walk with a museum visit or a stop at a local café. If you would prefer a guided introduction, check for a dated tour in your chosen language before planning around it.

Our Javea Old Town guide provides a more detailed introduction, while our guided walking tours guide explains how to check current departures and booking arrangements.

Duanes de la Mar, usually called Javea Port, combines a fishing heritage with shops, restaurants and places to stroll beside the sea.

Explore the neighbourhood around La Grava Beach, stop for lunch and look out for the distinctive Church of Our Lady of Loreto. The Casa del Cable exhibition space adds a cultural stop to a visit to the waterfront.

This is a good area to build an unhurried outing around, combining sightseeing with time to sit and enjoy the surroundings.

Read our Javea Port guide for more about the area.

For a sandy beach with places to eat nearby, head to Playa del Arenal. Its promenade makes it easy to combine beach time with a meal or an evening stroll.

The Arenal is a useful starting point for families who want sand and nearby facilities. As with any beach visit, check sea conditions and flags, supervise children and confirm which seasonal services are operating.

For help choosing a beach, explore our family beaches guide and guide to sandy beaches in Javea.

Javea’s coves offer a different coastal experience from the Arenal. Granadella and Cala Portitxol, also known as Cala Barraca, are popular places to explore, with pebble, gravel or rocky surfaces rather than broad sandy shores.

Choose a cove according to its access, terrain and facilities as well as its appearance. Seasonal traffic controls and parking arrangements can affect a visit, so check the rules for your travel dates.

Start with our guides to:

• Granadella Beach

• Granadella Summer Access and Parking

• Cala Portitxol / Cala Barraca

A market visit fits naturally into a morning exploring the Old Town.

Javea’s weekly Thursday market takes place in Plaça de la Constitució, with fruit, vegetables and a variety of other goods. It is separate from the indoor Municipal Market, which is another stop for discovering local food.

Browse the stalls before continuing into the historic streets, and check arrangements around public holidays before making a special trip.

See our Javea Thursday Market guide for practical details.

The Soler Blasco Archaeological and Ethnological Museum offers an introduction to Javea’s past, with archaeological finds and displays relating to traditional local life.

Its setting in a historic palace makes it a worthwhile addition to an Old Town visit. Allow time to explore the building as well as the collections, and check opening hours before setting out.

Visit our Soler Blasco Museum guide for visitor information.

For a cultural break, check the exhibitions at Ca Lambert in the Old Town and Casa del Cable at the Port.

These spaces can be included in a wider neighbourhood visit, giving you a reason to explore somewhere new or return to a familiar area. Exhibitions change, so check the programme and opening days before visiting.

Browse the official Xàbia art listings and our Javea events guide for ideas.

Javea’s Ruta de los Miradores brings together 15 viewpoints, offering different perspectives on the coastline and surrounding landscape.

Choose a few that fit your route instead of trying to visit them all in one outing. Cap de Sant Antoni and Els Molins are among the places included in the official route.

Access varies between viewpoints: check the approach, parking and walking involved, particularly if travelling with young children or someone with limited mobility.

Explore our Javea viewpoints guide.

Walking offers another way to discover Javea’s landscape, from time beside the sea to more demanding countryside routes.

For a relaxed outing, build a walk around the Port or Arenal promenade. If you want a hiking route, consult the official route information for areas such as Cap Prim, Granadella and Montgó.

Check distance, ascent, terrain and current access before choosing. Coastal and mountain paths can be exposed, so take water, suitable footwear and sun protection, and adjust plans to the weather.

Our Javea walks and hiking guide links the options together.

A boat trip offers a different view of Javea’s coast and can make a memorable addition to a holiday.

Browse our boat trips and excursions directory, including the Mundo Marino listing, then check departures directly for your dates.

Before booking a cruise, swimming excursion or other water-based activity, confirm the departure point, duration, age requirements and what is included. Ask how weather-related changes or cancellations are handled.

Mix a beach or sightseeing visit with an activity that suits your children’s ages and interests. A shorter outing with time for breaks can work better than a full day moving between attractions.

Our family activities guide brings together ideas for planning days out. For a karting session, see the Karting Javea listing and confirm height requirements, available sessions and booking details with the venue.

If you enjoy staying active on holiday, explore bike and e-bike hire, yoga and Pilates, gyms and tennis and padel clubs.

Our listings include 2GoBike, Yoga with Kate Moss and Paris 24 Tennis & Padel. Contact providers for current availability, equipment and visitor booking options.

For something more restful, browse spas in Javea, including our Ritual de Terra listing. Confirm whether non-resident access is available and what your booking includes.

Check What’s On During Your Visit

Markets, exhibitions, performances and fiestas can add something special to a stay. Check the programme for your dates rather than assuming an event follows the same schedule every year.

Use our Javea events guide and fiesta calendar, alongside the official Xàbia tourism website, to plan around confirmed activities.

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• Javea Old Town Guide

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